We will be working both independently and together throughout the term. The singular goal of the design of the class is to allow you the freedom to pursue an aspect of critical digital pedagogy that's most germane to your work in the world or in academia.

While each "unit" below will include recommended readings and viewings, and recommendations for discussion, and while each unit will build on the previous, you should focus on readings, topics, etc. that feel relevant, that pull at your imagination or sensibilities. For example, if we are reading foundational work from Paulo Freire, bell hooks, or others, you may want to find other works (from the bibliography or elsewhere) that better appeal to your interests.

This Schedule is the path we'll take to the end of the semester, and the end of the semester culminates in your final project. So, as you're going along, keep that in mind.

Important Dates

  • June 18: Research proposal
  • July 3: Mid-term self-evaluation
  • July 22: Final project
  • July 25: Final self-evaluation

Unit 1: June 3- June 16| Foundations

Stuff to do:

We begin with an examination of the foundations of critical pedagogy and critical digital pedagogy. Rather than read everything below (unless you really want to), select readings that attract you or that feel necessary to your understanding of our theoretical framework.

SLACK: Go to our Slack site INTE5360-SU2024 and say hello in the #bio channel.

Also, use the #unit1-foundations channel to respond to the reading you're doing. Especially, reflect on Freire's notion of an epistemological relationship to reality, or the idea of "reading our world." You may also want to reflect right off the bat on the relationship between critical pedagogy and digital education.

Movie, June 12 @ 7:00pm (Mountain): If you are able, join in our synchronish viewing of Catfish. This viewing will take place in your own home on your own screen, and all of us watching will start at approximately the same time. During the movie, we'll jump into Slack to discuss the movie as we watch. (If you are not able to join, don't worry: we will be doing similar viewings throughout the term, and you can also always join in the conversation after the fact.)

Project Proposal: At the end of this unit, please write up your project proposal and send it my way via Slack DM. For more information about the proposal, see the Final Project description or reach out to me with questions. To prepare for your project proposal, you may want to browse the Bibliography and look for ideas that pique your interest. Keep in mind that you will most likely shift, alter, or change entirely the subject of your research as you work over the next few weeks—and that's fine. The proposal is really just the opening of a conversation between you and this subject matter.

We begin with an examination of the foundations of critical pedagogy and critical digital pedagogy. I consider these readings important to understanding the approach we're exploring this semester.

Unit 2: June 17 - June 30 | Posing Problems

For the next three weeks, we will be exploring four areas of particular interest to critical digital pedagogy: Diversity, Equity, Antiracism; The State of School; Privacy and Surveillance; and Classroom Practice. Engage in the way that feels right for you, but here are a couple of options:

  • First, you could work through the readings by category, selecting the readings that seem right for you, pulling from the bibliography, or finding additional resources.
  • Second, you could choose the category that has the most relevance to your final project and dive into these and other readings.

Stuff to do:

Take the Podium: This is your opportunity to make at least one presentation to the class. Please select a date for your presentation on this document between June 17 - July 26. Then, compose a short blog post (500-1000 words) to publish on the class website. The day before your presentation, please send me your text and I will publish the blog post for you (don't worry, I'll remind you). Topics can vary, and you may want to consider writing on:

  • Your definition or understanding of critical digital pedagogy
  • A response to one of the films we'll be watching
  • A response to a reading from Unit 2
  • Your thoughts on any of the four areas of focus for Unit 2: Diversity, Equity, Antiracism; The State of School; Privacy and Surveillance; and Classroom Practice
  • An update on your research
  • Anything else that feels relevant or important that you wish to communicate to the class

Mid-Term Self-evaluation: Sometime before July 3, please send me your first mid-term self-evaluation via private message in Slack. You can use any format you like, but please be sure to include your thoughts about:

  • What does participation mean for you in a class like this? How do you measure your own participation?
  • How is your research going? Do you have any questions or concerns at this point?
  • What grade would you give yourself at this point in the semester, and why?

I don't normally respond to self-evaluations, as I don't want to write my voice over yours. However, if you would like a response, please let me know.

SLACK: Continue to use Slack as a place to discuss readings, insights, and your own research in #discuss-unit2-posing problems. Also be sure to share resources you've discovered in the #resources channel.

Movies: If you are able, join in our synchronish viewing of the movies below. Viewings will take place in your own home on your own screen, and all of us watching will start at approximately the same time. During the movies, we'll jump into Slack to discuss the movie as we watch. You are not expected to make it to all (or any) of these viewings—they are optional.

  • June 26 @7pm (Mountain): TBD

Please do not read all of the readings below, but rather engage in the way that feels right for you. Here are a couple of options:

  • First, you could work through the readings by category, selecting the readings that seem right for you, pulling from the bibliography, or finding additional resources.
  • Second, you could choose the category that has the most relevance to your final project and dive into these and other readings.

Diversity, Equity, Antiracism

The State of School

Privacy and Surveillance

Classroom Practice

Unit 3: July 1 - July 14 | Reflection

For the next two weeks, we will spend some time reflecting. Engage in the way that feels right for you, but here are a couple of options:

  • First, you could work through the readings by category, selecting the readings that seem right for you, pulling from the bibliography, or finding additional resources.
  • Second, you could choose the category that has the most relevance to your final project and dive into these and other readings.

Stuff to do:

Slack: Continue to use Slack as a place to discuss readings, insights, and your own research #discuss-unit3-reflections. Also be sure to share resources you've discovered in the #resources channel.

Take the Podium blog presentations continue.

Final Project: Final projects can be turned in anytime between July 17 - 22. So be sure you're working on finishing up your projects. If you need or want to meet with me before turning in your work, feel free to reach out or make an appointment. Please send your final project to me via private message in Slack.

Movies: If you are able, join in our synchronish viewing of the movies below. Viewings will take place in your own home on your own screen, and all of us watching will start at approximately the same time. During the movies, we'll jump into Slack to discuss the movie as we watch. You are not expected to make it to all (or any) of these viewings—they are optional.

  • July 9 @7pm (Mountain): TBD

Please do not read all of the readings below, but rather engage in the way that feels right for you. Here are a couple of options:

  • First, you could work through the readings by category, selecting the readings that seem right for you, pulling from the bibliography, or finding additional resources.
  • Second, you could choose the category that has the most relevance to your final project and dive into these and other readings.

Telling Our Stories

Imagination and Change

Leadership

Unit 4: July 15 - July 27 | Praxis

Stuff to do:

Final Project: Final projects can be turned in anytime between July 17 - 22. So be sure you're working on finishing up your projects. If you need or want to meet with me before turning in your work, feel free to reach out or make an appointment. Please send your final project to me via private message in Slack.

Self-evaluation: Sometime before July 25, please send me your final self-evaluation via a private message in Slack. You can use any format you like, but please be sure to include your thoughts about:

  • What has participation mean for you in this class? How would you measure
    or evaluate your own participation?
  • Talk a bit about your research this semester. What was challenging? What was surprising? Can you now, at least a little bit, think of yourself as a scholar?
  • What grade would you give yourself for your work this term, and why?

I don't normally respond to self-evaluations, as I don't want to write my voice over yours. However, if you would like a response, please let me know.